US
August 28, 1975- Label and catalog number
- Motown M6-851S1
- Format
- LP, Compilation
- Runout / matrix
M6-851S1-HS-2519-1-S-03B #12Side One runout
M6-851S1-HS-2520-2-S-03B #12Side Two runout
Vinyl pressings
The Best Of Michael Jackson
by Michael Jackson · 1975
68 pressings29 countriesRhythm & BluesSoulFunk / Soul
The Best Of Michael Jackson was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of The Best Of Michael Jackson
22 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 14 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
US
August 28, 1975- Label and catalog number
- Motown M6-851S1
- Format
- LP, Compilation
- Runout / matrix
-M6-851S1-HS-2519-1-S-03A #13Side A - Etched
-M6-851S1-HS-2520-2-S-03A #13Side B - Etched
BMI
HS-2519-1Side A - Label
US
1975- Label and catalog number
- Motown M6-851S1
- Format
- LP, Compilation
- Runout / matrix
[scratched]-M6-851S1-2519-1-S-03ASide 1 (ethched)
[scratched]-M6-851S1-2520-2-S-03ASide 2 (ethched)
US
1975- Label and catalog number
- Motown M6-851S1
- Format
- LP, Compilation · Santa Maria Pressing
- Runout / matrix
M6-851S1-HS-2519A-1A C2Side 1 (Etched)
M6-851S1-HS-2520-B-1A D9Side 2 (Etched)
BMI
UK
September 1975- Label and catalog number
- Tamla Motown STML 12005
- Format
- LP, Compilation
- Runout / matrix
STML 12005 A1 RJL-GFStamped / hand-etched - Side A
STML 12005 B1 RJL-GFStamped / hand-etched - Side B
STML 12005ALabel - Side A
STML 12005BLabel - Side B
UK
September 1975- Label and catalog number
- Tamla Motown STML 12005
- Format
- LP, Compilation, White Label
- Runout / matrix
STML 12005 A1 RJL-GFStamped / hand-etched - Side A
STML 12005 B1 RJL-GFStamped / hand-etched - Side B
STML 12005ALabel - Side A
STML 12005BLabel - Side B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 68 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s24 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Brazil | Motown M6-851First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1975 | Canada | Motown M 851 V1 / Motown M-851V1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | Canada | Motown HS-2519First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | Colombia | Motown MWS 4110First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | Colombia | Motown MWS 4110First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | Ecuador | Motown LPS 312-0507First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | France | Tamla Motown 2C066-96.916 / Tamla Motown 2C066-96 916First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1975 | Jamaica | Tamla Motown M6-851S1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | Japan | Motown SWX-6239First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1975 | New Zealand | Motown ASTLP 2096First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | Philippines | Tamla Motown TM-2187 / Tamla Motown M6-851S1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | Rhodesia | Motown TMS 5288First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | Singapore | Tamla Motown M6-851 S1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | UK | Tamla Motown STML 12005First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | US | Motown M6-851S1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
1980s30 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Japan | Motown VIP-6761LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1980 | Japan | Motown VIP-6761LP, Compilation, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| 1980 | Portugal | Motown IM-46.036LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | UK | Tamla Motown STMR 9009 / Tamla Motown 0C 054-97 013LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1980 | South Korea | Oasis Records OLE-341 / Motown STMR-9009LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | France & Benelux | Motown 523031 / Vogue 523031LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1981 | Germany | Motown 250·15·009LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | South Africa | Motown TMC 5431 / Motown STML 12005LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Spain | Motown 2-47.087LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1981 | Spain | Motown 2-47.087LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1981 | Spain | Motown 2-47.087LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1981 | Spain | Motown 2-47.087LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1981 | US | Motown M5 194V1LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition |
| 1981 | US | Motown M5-194V1LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition |
| 1981 | US | Motown M5-194V1LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
1990s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | US | Motown M5-194VIALP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
Year unknown13 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Motown ASTLP 2096LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Australia | Motown STMR 9009LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Brazil | Motown 504.7011LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress |
| ? | Brazil | Motown 504.7011LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Costa Rica | Onda Nueva Records 75-11-1214-LPLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Panama | Onda Nueva Records 75-11-1214-LPLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Philippines | Motown MLP 2749 / Motown MLP-2749LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | Motown STMR 9009 / Motown 0C 054-97 013LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Tamla Motown STMR 9009LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress |
| ? | UK | Tamla Motown STMR 9009LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Motown M5-194V1 / Motown M5-194VILP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Motown M5-194V1LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | US | Motown M5-194V1LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
Tracklist
- A1Got To Be There3:19
- A2Ben2:41
- A3With A Child's Heart3:29
- A4Happy (Love Theme From "Lady Sings The Blues")3:22
- A5One Day In Your Life4:10
- B1I Wanna Be Where You Are2:56
- B2Rockin' Robin2:29
- B3We're Almost There3:37
- B4Morning Glow3:32
- B5Music And Me2:33
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of The Best Of Michael Jackson are there?
68 vinyl pressings of The Best Of Michael Jackson are listed here, from 29 countries, released between 1975 and 1995.
When was The Best Of Michael Jackson first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in US, UK, Canada, Brazil and more. One of them is Motown M6-851S1, released August 28, 1975.
How do I tell if my copy of The Best Of Michael Jackson is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use M6-851S1, STML 12005, M6-851V1, M6-851) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, M6-851S1-HS-2519-1-S-03B #12 and M6-851S1-HS-2520-2-S-03B #12. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is The Best Of Michael Jackson on vinyl worth?
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
